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Box Score 2 The MNU Women's Basketball team held on to the top spot in the conference with a 63-51 victory at Baker on Thursday. Baker started the game on a 7-2 run as MNU looked flat. Coach
Jon Lewis replaced all 5 starters after 3 minutes and the bench responded with energy to keep the Pioneers close. MNU took a 1-point lead just before halftime but Baker hit a shot in the final seconds to retake the lead heading to the locker room. The Pioneers came out strong in the second half and controlled the action throughout, taking a 12-point lead after a 10-1 run. Baker got as close as 4 in the final minutes, but guards Janeè Garza,
Rachel Boan, and
Navia Palu hit free throws down the stretch to extend the lead back to 12 and close out the game.
Daria Sprew had 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Rachel Boan had 12 points and 5 rebounds. Janeè Garza added 11 points and a game-high 5 assists. And
Kristie Tiegreen had 10 points and 8 rebounds off the bench.
The Pioneers are 19-8 (12-3 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at Missouri Valley (10-14, 6-8) at 2:00.
Box and Play by Play
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In the men's game, the conference race tightened as the Pioneers couldn't climb out of a big hole in a 71-67 loss at Baker. The Wildcats took advantage of cold MNU shooting and built an early 11-4 lead. The Pioneers fought back to take a 14-13 lead at the 11-minute mark, but they would never lead again. Baker built a 16-point lead early in the second half and MNU couldn't recover. Ever small run by the Pioneers was answered by Baker, but MNU finally made a push in the final minutes. A few missed Baker free throws and some long-range shooting from
Rustin Dowd and
Conner Langrehr got the Pioneers within 3 points with 30 seconds left, but Baker hit their free throws at the end and picked up a big victory.
With Evangel's victory, MNU holds a 1-game lead in the conference. The Pioneers are at Missouri Valley on Saturday before the big matchup with Evangel at home next Thursday.
Luke Thomas finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
Jacob French had 13 points and 6 rebounds.
Rustin Dowd added 12 points.
Conner Langrehr reached double figures with 11. And
Justin Collard had 8 points and 3 assists off the bench.
The Pioneers are 19-8 (13-2 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at Missouri Valley (9-17, 4-10) at 4:00.
Box and Play by Play
